Given the recent discussions about the bikepaths, I wanted to share my story of commuting by bike for the first time this year. Though I live in Providence, my office is not downtown, but in Warwick. I did it! I set out to bike to work at least once a week during the warmer months, and I did – about …

Original drawing by RIDOT, modifications by Jef Nickerson • Click image to enlarge Last month we took a look at the city’s plans for the redesign of LaSalle Square. The city is planning to make Empire Street two-way for the entire length (from Weybosset/Broad to through the square to Sabin Street). The city has had some back and forth with …

9th Avenue Madison Square Park Madison Square Park A reader submitted these photos from New York City to show what is being done with bike lanes there and as an example of what we should be thinking about doing in the 195 Street Grid: Attached are photos of bikeway conditions at two intersections in New York. Ninth Avenue in Chelsea …

The city Department of Planning and Development has been working for some time on a Downtown Circulation Plan. Signs of the plan are visible already on city streets, Washington Street was made two-way, and the lights at Washington and Empire are built for the future transformation of Empire into a two-way street. Eventually, Weybosset will be made a two-way street …

Boston.com reports that a bike sharing program is coming to Boston with plans of expanding to Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline. According to Inhabitat The new system will be very similar to infrastructure already in place in cities like Montreal and Paris. Riders can pick up bikes at one of the 290 stations with a swipe of a credit card, ride …

Photo from Bike New Haven Design New Haven reports on the city of New Haven’s newly launched website, Bike New Haven, and boy is it great. Great starting from the above photo on the front page. Bikes Ride Here, on the street, amen! As Design New Haven outlines, the site is full of great information about cycling in New Haven. …

Emmett Square | View Larger Map The city has a plan known as the Downtown Circulator (I think that’s what it is known as), which would make Weybosset and Empire Streets two-way, rebuild Fountain Street, and rebuild and reconfigure Emmett and LaSalle Squares. Currently, the city is on track to begin this work next spring (last I heard). Thinking of …

View Bike To Work Day 2009 in a larger map In anticipation of Bike to Work Day 2009 (May 15th!) the Providence Bicycle Coalition has created a series of “Bike Trains” so you don’t have to go it alone. Commuting by bike, no matter how long the distance, can be a bit intimidating the first time on RI roads. By …

According to the RI DOT’s blog, the bike path on the Washington Bridge is now open. The bike path on the bridge is in its original configuration, and cyclists and pedestrians should exercise caution on the path as it is very narrow. There are numerous alcoves along the path where cyclists can pull over and let an oncoming rider pass. …

Bike Share Rack in Barcelona by Matthew Coolidge When I heard on the radio that Austin, Texas was introducing a bike-share program I got all excited and immediately thought of Barcelona, where people actively use a great bike-share program. Listening a little more carefully, however, the story is that the city is introducing the program for city employees. At first, …

Photo by thatsparklychick from flickr The Providence Bicycle Coalition (PBC) has been hard at work trying to update the state laws when it comes to bicycle safety. According to their blog, For the most part, the changes to existing laws are minor edits to bring them more in line with the rest of Title 31 and to update them to …

Photo by Jef Nickerson Buried in a ProJo article about the new Iway ramp opening is this little nugget. In the coming weeks, the narrow catwalk on the [Washington] bridge, which connected India Point Park to the East Bay Bike Path, will reopen. This was a favorite route of runners, cyclists and pedestrians heading between East Providence and the East …

The Brown Daily Herald, which is actually an excellent source for Providence metro news, reports on a new bike sharing program for RISD students which they may aim to expand if it’s successful. We need more of these all around the city…